Richard Gere is not just a name in the credits of the documentary Wisdom of Happiness—he played a deeply active role in bringing the film to the world. The documentary focuses on the life and teachings of his longtime friend, the Dalai Lama.
“I’ve never worked harder to ensure a film I was part of reached audiences,” Gere shared. Having known the spiritual leader for over four decades, he believed this project carried a unique importance. For him, the goal was simple yet powerful—to plant a meaningful idea in viewers’ minds.
The film captures the journey of the 89-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate, presenting him in direct conversation with the audience. Through intimate storytelling, the Dalai Lama reflects on his childhood, family, and life experiences while sharing insights on compassion, service, and the true meaning of inner peace.
Gere officially joined the project after viewing an early cut presented by co-directors Philip Delaquis and Barbara Miller. Along with his frequent creative partner Oren Moverman, he spent a month reshaping the documentary and enhancing it with a new musical score.
Initially, Gere saw the film as a tribute timed closely with the Dalai Lama’s milestone 90th birthday. However, as global tensions increased, the meaning of the documentary deepened. He now views it as a form of emotional and spiritual healing in a world he describes as increasingly chaotic and divided.
According to Gere, the Dalai Lama urges audiences to pause, reflect, and reassess the direction humanity is heading. He believes that rising hostility and the decline of basic kindness stem largely from political leadership and societal choices. In his view, citizens share responsibility in shaping the kind of world they live in by choosing leaders who reflect compassion and unity.
When asked whether the Dalai Lama’s message could influence figures like Donald Trump, Gere admitted he was uncertain. While he hoped such wisdom could inspire change, he struggled to comprehend the scale of the transformation America has undergone in recent times.
Over the years, many documentaries have been made about the Dalai Lama, but Gere recalls one proposed biopic that he found almost comically unrealistic. It depicted a dramatic CIA rescue from the Potala Palace—a version of events he considered exaggerated and disrespectful.
Gere’s relationship with Tibet goes beyond friendship. Since first meeting the Dalai Lama, he has remained a vocal advocate for Tibetan freedom. His activism famously led to a 20-year ban from presenting at the Academy Awards after he publicly criticized China’s policies in Tibet during the 1993 ceremony. He did not return to the Oscars stage until 2013.
Despite the controversy, Gere said the ban never deeply troubled him. He emphasized that he never viewed the situation as a personal attack and continues to believe in redemption and compassion for all.
Interestingly, the Dalai Lama himself has only partially seen Wisdom of Happiness. He watched select clips with his niece, Tencho Gyatso, who leads the International Campaign for Tibet. While he showed little interest in watching himself on screen, old footage of his childhood and family delighted him and stirred fond memories.
